A checker who's also a rapper gets his break with 'Afro Samurai 2'

Peter DaSilva / For The Times

Roberto "Visualeyes" McCoy, an Oakland rapper, records tracks for "Afro Samurai 2" at David Robinson's home studio. Robinson, the game's developer, had liked a CD that McCoy, a Safeway checker, had given him while waiting in line.

Roberto "Visualeyes" McCoy, an Oakland rapper, records tracks for "Afro Samurai 2" at David Robinson's home studio. Robinson, the game's developer, had liked a CD that McCoy, a Safeway checker, had given him while waiting in line. (Peter DaSilva / For The Times)

Rapper Roberto "Visualeyes" McCoy listens to a track he just recorded for "Afro Samurai 2" at David Robinson's home studio. McCoy had delivered an album in the same style as the one he'd first dropped in Robinson's grocery bag -- aggressive rhymes, broken up by melodic vocals.

Rapper Roberto "Visualeyes" McCoy listens to a track he just recorded for "Afro Samurai 2" at David Robinson's home studio. McCoy had delivered an album in the same style as the one he'd first dropped in Robinson's grocery bag -- aggressive rhymes, broken up by melodic vocals. (Peter DaSilva / For The Times)